Paint supplying apparatus for paint rollers

ABSTRACT

A convenient and efficient supply device is provided for delivering paint from a conventional container through a line which includes a first flexible hose, a manual pump, a second flexible hose, and a manifold, to the exterior of a conventional paint roller. The manifold can be used in either of two operating positions at opposite sides of the plane defined by the roller handle and the roller axis, and it can be instantly shifted at will from either one of these positions to the other. The line includes two interchangeable hoses of radically different lengths running, respectively, from source to pump and from pump to manifold. One arrangement disposes the pump for hand operation, the other for foot operation. A faucet attaching fitting at the introductory end of the line enables the line to be quickly and cleanly flushed out under pressure. Adaptation to rollers of different lengths is brought about by selection for use of a manifold corresponding in length to the length of the roller.

Bradshaw [111 3,809,484 1 1 May 7,1974

[ PAINT SUPPLYING APPARATUS FOR PAINT ROLLERS [76] Inventor: Jennings H. Bradshaw, 5721 Bryant,

7 KlamathFalls, Oreg. 97601 [22] Filed: Jan. 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 321,992

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,340,562 9/1967 Skandaliaris 401/219 2,960,040 11/1960 Bischoff.... 401/188 X 3.371.980 3/1968 Stefely 401/188 x 626,750 6/1899 Carter... 401 188 x 884,256 4/1908 Addie 131/257 x FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 421,769 4/1967 Switzerland 401/208 1,201,732 9/1965 Germany 401/187 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles [5 7] 7 ABSTRACT A convenient and efiicient supply device is provided for delivering paint from a conventional container througha line which includes a first flexible hose, a manual pump, a second flexible hose, and a manifold, to the exterior of a conventional paint roller. The manifold can be used in either of two operating positions at opposite sides of theplane defined by the rol ler handle and the roller axis, and it can be instantly shifted at will from either one of these positions to the other. The line includes two interchangeable hoses of radically different lengths running, respectively, from source to pump and from pump to manifold. One arrangement disposes the pump for hand operation, the other for foot operation. A faucet attaching fitting at the introductory end of the line enables the line to be quickly and cleanly flushed out under pressure. Adaptation to rollers of different lengths is brought about by selection for use of a manifold corresponding in length to the length of the roller.

3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAINT SUPPLYING APPARATUS FOR PAINT ROLLERS This invention relates to means for supplying paint directly from a conventional container, such'as the bucket in which the paint is sold, to any conventional paint roller. i

There have been various proposals for attaining this objective but all of them have proved deficient and unsatisfactory for want of one or more of the novel features referred to below. As a consequence, practically all roller painting is done by maintaining a quantity of paint in an open pan and reactivating the roller from time to time by rolling it in the pan.

It is a feature of my invention that a paint delivery system is provided for drawing paint from a container situated on the floor or on any other convenient inanimate support, and delivering it to the roller so that the user is relieved of the necessity of carrying the container and its contents on his person.

It is a further feature that the paint delivery line includes at its introductory end a female faucet attachment which, after it has been rinsed under a faucet, may be conventionally secured to the faucet for flushing out the delivery line.

It is also a feature that the delivery line includes a hand pump and two flexible tubes of radically different lengths, one for extending from the supply container to the pump and the other for extending from the pump to a discharge manifold. The long and short tubes are interchangeable, a feature of great convenience when changing back and forth between use of the normal short handle when painting easy to reach areas, and use of an extension handle when painting ceilings and other surfaces beyond normal reach.

The interchangeability of the tubes also gives the user a choice between hand operation and foot operation of the pump.

The paint is delivered to the roller through an adjacent manifold located above, and in parallelism with, the roller axis, and to the right or left of the axial plane of the handle. It is a salient feature that the manifold can be instantly switched from either one of these positions to the other. This feature is very important. The user, to avoid fatigue, may wish to switch back and forth between right and left hand use. Of more importance, when the user, say, painting a north wall comes to an east wall, he will find reversal of the manifold position to be essential.

It is a still further feature that the paint supply means is of simple and inexpensive construction and can be readily adapted, simply by selection of the appropriate manifold, for application to any conventional paint roller.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawing forming part of this specification and showing certain practical and advantageous embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of one somewhat unusual type of paint roller, having my novel paint supply device applied through a manifold especially adapted to a roller of the type shown;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view like FIG. 1 but showing the novel paint supply device applied to another unusual type of roller through another specially designed manifold;

FIG. 3 is a comprehensive view in elevation showing my complete paint supply device applied to the most common, conventional paint roller through a manifold designed for use with a roller of the type shown, the

paint bucket being outlined in broken lines, and the,

general organization of FIG. 3 being the same as that employed with the rollers and manifolds of FIGS. 1 and FIG. 4 is a viewin end elevation of the roller, roller handle, and manifold mounting means with the manifold located to the right of the roller axis;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in front elevation showing the structure of FIG. 4 in the alternative position of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in side elevation on a much larger scale than any of the other views;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the elements that go to make up the adjustable mounting means for the manifold;

FIG. 8 is a view in elevation of a plate which enters importantly into adjustment of the manifold position toward and from the roller axis, and angularly about the roller axis; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the plate of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 1 and 2 have been included simply for showing that the invention is applicable to rollers of unusual forms such as those shown in these figures. They will be referred to briefly after the structure of FIGS. 3 to 9, inclusive, has been described and explained.

The conventional paint roller 10 of FIG. 3, shown in more detail and on a larger scale in FIG. 6, comprises a paint roller core 12 which is revolubly mounted on a central shaft 14, which shaft forms an integral part of the handle 16. It will be observed that the roller is connected to the handle at only one end of the rollera desirable arrangement. Besides the shaft 14, which extends the full length of the roller core 12, the handle 16 comprises a short radially extending part 18, an inclined part 20 and an outwardly extending hand grip part 22. The handgrip 23 is hollow and is internally threaded for the reception of a removable handle extension member 24. An absorbent replaceable cover sleeve 26 is applied to the roller core 12 and constitutes the means by which the paint is actually applied to the surface being painted.

The parts thus far referred to are purely conventional parts of the paint roller to which paint is supplied through the novel structure now to be described, reference being had primarily to FIGS. 3 to 9, inclusive.

In FIG. 3 the entire organization is shown comprehensively, A paint can 27 is indicated in broken lines. A clip 29 is formed with two upturned spring arms which releasably embrace a flexible tube 30, and two downturned spring arms which releasably embrace the rim of the can 27. The tube 30 carries at its lower end a conventional union coupling 28 of the kind which is adapted to be applied to a faucet. When a painting job is finished or materially interrupted, the tube 30 is withdrawn from the can, being handled only through its clean part, is rinsed off externally so it and the coupling 28 can be handled cleanly, and the coupling, also prerinsed internally, is applied to a faucet for thoroughly flushing out the paint delivery line.

The coupling 28 is formed with a side opening 29a for limiting water pressure. The opening can be covered completely, or to any degree desired, by a finger or thumb of the user. This is advantageous because the pressure within the system can be varied abruptly when desired, and this without disturbing the faucet setting.

The coupling 28 is connected through a first, comparatively long length of flexible tubing 30 with a paint pump 32, which pump desirably comprises a flexible, self-expanding elastic rubber bulb 34, having'check valves 36 and 38 at its opposite ends which are constructed and arranged to pass paint in the direction indicated by the arrows but not in the opposite direction.

The pump isconnected through a second, comparatively short, length of flexible tubing to a manifold 42 which, in the form shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, extends near to the surface of the roller cover 26 and parallel to the roller axis throughout the length of theroller.

The fact that the pump 32 is unattached to the handle is generally advantageous for two reasons:

1. With either the normal or the extended handle in use, the chosen length 'of the shorter flexible tubing 40 can be such that the pump bulb 34 can conveniently be held in the free hand of the painter, and r I 2. The long and short lengths of tubing can be interchanged, so that the pump bulb will lie on the floor for operation by a foot of the painter.

If desired, however, the tubing adjacent to the pump may be connected to the handle by'rubber bands or string.

v A salient feature of the invention resides in the fact that the manifold 42 can be conveniently shifted from a position like that of FIG. 4 to a position like that of FIG. 5, and vice versa. This desirable characteristic is achieved by virtue of the mannerin which the manifold 42 is mounted on the handle 18. The nature and characteristic of this mounting will be readily apparent from a reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, and particularly to FIG. 8.,The same mounting means also provides for adjustment of the manifold 42 towardand from the axis of the roller to accommodate roller cores of varied diameter and roller cover sleeves of varied thicknesses.

A channeled member 44 embraces the portion 18 of handle 16, being firmly clamped in place by a headed screw member 46 and nut 48. j

' At its upper end the member 44 includes spaced arms 50 which snugly embrace the shaft 14, and an outwardly displaced, comparatively broad plate 52 which is formedwith a central hole 54.

A- manifold carrier 56 is pivotally mounted on the plate 52, by means of a headed rivet or eyelet 58. The shank of 58 is fitted snugly through the hole 54, through a slot formed in the carrier 56, through a clamping plate 60 and through a compression coil spring 62 and a washer 64. The assembly is held firmly, but yieldingly together by upsetting the end of the rivet or eyelet 58.

The carrier 56 is formed with an elongated slot for accommodating the shank of screw 58. The outer face of the carrier 56 is formed with transversely aligned pairs of teeth 56a which interfit with teeth 60a on the plate 60. This arrangement enables the carrier 56 to be adjusted radially of the roller and to hold any selected position dependably, It is desirable that the range of angular adjustment of the manifold be limited in order to assure that paint delivered through the manifold will be 6 guideway, slot or groove 52a ofthe member 52. The slot 52a desirably extends for about 90, 45 to either side of the plane defined by the handle and the roller axis.

The carrier is bent to provide a slotted offset portion 66 in which a bent end 68 of the manifold is fitted to detain the manifold against turning. The carrier is also formed with opposed upstanding ears 70 between which a straight portion of the manifold is yieldingly clamped. The yieldable clamping of the manifold has the advantages that the manifold is detained against longitudinal movement, and that the manifold can be readily removed from the roller for convenience in the cleaning of the roller and of the manifold, itself.

, The manifold, itself, has a line of closely spaced fine discharge openings 72 which face directly toward the axis of the roller in any adjusted position of the manifold.

It is worthy of note that several different lengths of rollers are available on the market. These variations can be readily accommodated by making available manifolds of correspondingly varied lengths.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 unusual types of available rollers are shown in association with a'paint feeding organization of the type shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, the only change being that in FIG. 1 the manifold is bent outward to coincide with the slope of the frustoconical roller, and in FIG. 2 the manifold is bent to coincide with the curvature of the roller.

The manifold of FIG. 1 has accordingly been designated 42b and the manifold of FIG. 2 has been designated 42c. The same reference numerals used in FIGS. 3 to 9.have been applied where applicable to FIGS. 1 and 2. I have described what I believe to be the best embodiments of my invention. What I desire to cover by letters patent is set forth in the appended claims.

' lclaim: y,

l. A paint supplying organization for delivering paint directly from a paint container to the working surface of a paint roller having a roller carrier which includes a carrying shaft and an angularly related handle unitary therewith at one end thereof, comprising, in combination,

a. a paint delivering manifold adapted to extend along the roller surface substantially from end to end in a substantially tangent relation thereto through which the paint is discharged directly onto the roller,

b. means mounting the manifold on the carrier with the manifold discharge pointed toward the roller shaft and with freedom for rotary movement about the axis of the roller shaft to widely spaced positions at opposite sides of the plane defined by the roller shaft and handle and substantially removed therefrom, and

c. a flexible line for transmitting paint from an independently supported paint container to the manifold, including a manually operable paint pump interposed in said line,

the mounting means including means constructed and arranged to retain the manifold yieldingly in either of said widely spaced positions,

and including a supporting bracket having a mounting hole adapted to be maintained in alignment with the roller shaft, a manifold carrier having a slot that extends toward the manifold, a bearing the roller.

3. A paint supplying organization as set forth in claim 1 in which a plate is mounted on the bearing member between the spring and the carrier, and in which the engaging faces of the plate and the carrier have interfitting toothed formations which are pressed together by the spring to detain the manifold yieldingly at any one of a multiplicity of closely spaced predetermined distances from the axis of the roller.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CURREQTWN Patent No. 3,809,484 Dated April 30, 1974 Invmnmr(s) Jennings H. Bradshaw It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 2, "hold" should read hole Signed and sealed this 24th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY Mn GIBSON JR, c, MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 U,S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I969 0*366-334.

FORM PO-105O (IO-69) 

1. A paint supplying organization for delivering paint directly from a paint container to the working surface of a paint roller having a roller carrier which includes a carrying shaft and an angularly related handle unitary therewith at one end thereof, comprising, in combination, a. a paint delivering manifold adapted to extend along the roller surface substantially from end to end in a substantially tangent relation thereto through which the paint is discharged directly onto the roller, b. means mounting the manifold on the carrier with the manifold discharge pointed toward the roller shaft and with freedom for rotary movement about the axis of the roller shaft to widely spaced positions at opposite sides of the plane defined by the roller shaft and handle and substantially removed therefrom, and c. a flexible line for transmitting paint from an independently supported paint container to the manifold, including a manually operable paint pump interposed in said line, the mounting means including means constructed and arranged to retain the manifold yieldingly in either of said widely spaced positions, and including a supporting bracket having a mounting hole adapted to be maintained in alignment with the roller shaft, a manifold carrier having a slot that extends toward the manifold, a bearing member disposed to extend through the mounting hold of the bracket and through the slot of the manifold carrier, and spring means maintaining the bracket and the manifold carrier in frictional engagement with one another.
 2. A paint supplying organization as set forth in claim 1 in which the carrier includes means for yieldingly retaining the manifold in place on the carrier, the construction and arrangement being such that the manifold may be conveniently removed from the carrier and replaced thereon, for facilitating independent cleaning of the roller.
 3. A paint supplying organization as set forth in claim 1 in which a plate is mounted on the bearing member between the spring and the carrier, and in which the engaging faces of the plate and the carrier have interfitting toothed formations which are pressed together by the spring to detain the manifold yieldingly at any one of a multiplicity of closely spaced predetermined distances from the axis of the roller. 